Therapeutic bandage with massaging projectors

ABSTRACT

A therapeutic bandage including a therapeutic surface having massage projections for contacting and massaging the body part to be treated. The therapeutic bandage is removably secured to the wearer by way of a closure element.

TECHNICAL FIELD

The invention relates to a therapeutic bandage having at least onetherapeutic surface for a body part to be treated with massagingprojections arranged on said therapeutic surface and pointing in thedirection of the body part to be treated, said therapeutic bandage beingremovably secured to said body part by means of a closure element.

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION

DE-A-196 11 888 discloses a support bandage which has a double wall andwhich, in the use state, fits tightly around the body to be supported,said bandage being able to be prestressed by means of tightening strapswhich are connected to a fairly large section of bandage, which liesopposite the wearer's back in the wearing position, and which tighteningstraps prestress the support part and are made of a material whichgenerates prestressing, for example rubber, plastic or the like.

In addition, DE-C-197 25 648 discloses a flexible orthopedic bandagewhich, in the open state, can be placed around a body part and can thenbe closed by means of a quick-closure element. In the area of thequick-closure element, the bandage has a means for temporarilystiffening this area during opening and/or closing of the bandage.

The aforementioned bandages are used only to support a weakened bodypart. Additional treatment of this body part is not possible. For thelatter purpose, massage articles are normally used, for example brushes,balls, gloves and the like, with which the body part to be treated ismassaged if necessary. The use of these massage articles, however, isoften a strain for the user and is therefore limited to a relativelyshort time span. Body areas which are difficult to reach, for examplecertain parts of the back, can only be treated with the help of anotherperson.

Moreover, DE 42 19 698 A1 discloses a therapeutic bandage for exertingpressure on a body part, with at least one pressure contact surfacewhich can be applied to the relevant body part, and with at least oneholding device for fixing the pressure contact surface under a staticpressure. The pressure contact surface has individual spheres as massageprojections which are embedded in a silicone composition in order totransmit forces. The massage projections can be acted upon by muscleforce in order to generate reaction forces acting substantially directlyon the body part concerned. The portions of the massage projectionsprotruding from the silicone composition have the shape of roundedknobs.

In addition, U.S. Pat. No. 7,769,803 discloses a therapeutic bandagewhich is to be removably fixed by means of a closure element on a bodypart to be treated. To stimulate the body part, the therapeutic bandageis provided with rounded massage projections which come to rest on thebody part to be treated.

Moreover, U.S. Pat. No. 5,381,558 and WO 97/49306 disclose an item ofclothing which has massage projections which come to rest on a body partto be massaged.

In addition, FR-A-1 367 724 discloses a massage bandage with a hollowspace for a therapeutic agent. DE 82 289 C discloses a therapeuticbandage which can be acted upon with stimulating current in the area ofmassage projections. Furthermore, U.S. Pat. No. 5,607,749 discloses atherapeutic bandage designed as a flat bandage with massage projections.

Finally, health plasters are known which are applied to the body part tobe treated and release a therapeutic agent. The therapeutic agent isused up after a certain period, and the health plaster needs to bereplaced with a new one, when necessary. As a result of the skin nottolerating an adhesive arranged on the health plaster, its use oftenleads to an allergic reaction of the body part to be treated.

It is an object of the invention to make available a therapeutic bandagewhich is of the type indicated at the outset and which permits targetedand prolonged massage therapy of a body part.

According to the invention, the object is achieved by the fact that themassage projections are designed as brushes.

The massage projections designed as brushes exert their therapeuticaction throughout the period of time in which the therapeutic bandage issecured on the body part to be treated. The massage takes place withouttiring the person wearing the therapeutic bandage and also without thehelp of other persons, in other words only by the movements which thewearer makes while wearing the therapeutic bandage, the use of brushesensuring a relatively large surface area of contact with the body partto be treated. The action of the brushes can be adjusted by specificchoice of the hardness of the bristles. If the therapeutic bandage hasbeen applied correctly, only the moved body parts are massaged, forwhich reason irritation caused by the massage projections can be almostcompletely excluded. To support the action of the brushes, a therapeuticagent can also be applied manually either directly on the skin or ontothe brushes, and this therapeutic agent is massaged into the skin as thetherapeutic agent is being worn.

Alternatively, in the case of a therapeutic bandage with at least onetherapeutic surface for a body part to be treated, on which there aremassage projections pointing in the direction of the body part to betreated, and the therapeutic bandage is fixed removably on the body partby means of a closure element, and in which the massage projections aredesigned as rounded knobs, the object is achieved, according to theinvention, by the fact that an acupuncture tip is arranged on the summitof the knob.

The acupuncture tip ensures an intensive stimulation of certain areas ofthe body part to be treated.

Each knob is preferably designed to be stiff, at least in the area ofits summit. Because of the stiff design of the summit of the knob, it ispossible to achieve a strong punctiform massage with a deep penetratingaction.

In order to prevent painful pressing or sliding of the summit of theknob on the skin, an elastic transition area is expediently providedbetween the summit of the knob and the therapeutic surface. The elastictransition area ensures an at all times pleasant contact pressure of thesummit of the knob on the body part to be treated.

An outer wall is preferably assigned to the therapeutic surface for thepurpose of forming a hollow space which is provided with an inlet/outletfor a therapeutic agent. The therapeutic agent conveyed through thehollow space, for example warm water, intensifies the action of thetherapeutic bandage. In addition to the stimulation by the massageprojections, the body part to be treated is also relaxed by the warmthradiating through the therapeutic surface.

To allow a therapeutic agent in the form of an ointment, massage oil orthe like to pass from the hollow space onto the skin of the body part tobe treated, each knob or each brush is preferably assigned an outflowopening for the therapeutic agent connected to the hollow space. Thetherapeutic agent present in the hollow space is thus continuouslyremoved from the knob or brush and massaged into the skin.

Each knob or brush is expediently mounted in the wall of the therapeuticsurface. Each knob or brush is advantageously provided with a holderwhich comprises a sphere segment formed integrally on the underside ofthe knob or brush, a holder attachment directed coaxially away from thesphere segment and bearing a sealing cone, and a pressure cone connectedto the sealing cone, where, in an unstressed state of the knob or brush,and as a result of a spring mat acting on the pressure cone, the sealingcone bears on a sealing seat of the therapeutic surface pointing in thedirection of the outer wall, the holder attachment is received with playin a connecting bore, and the sphere segment lies in the therapeuticsurface, spaced apart from a knob seat. In this way, in the unstressedstate of the knob or brush, it is possible to ensure sealing of thetherapeutic surface relative to the hollow space using a small number ofcomponent parts. At the same time, in the stressed state of the knob orbrush, a passage is freed for the therapeutic agent to pass from thehollow space through the connecting bore to the therapeutic surface, andthe contact pressure of the knob or brush is determined principally bythe spring mat.

According to an advantageous development of the inventive concept, theknobs are part of an elastic sheet of knobs secured on the therapeuticsurface, each knob being assigned a channel opening into the hollowspace. This permits inexpensive production of the therapeutic bandagesince the sheet of knobs together with the knobs is a single part whichis produced in one production process and is secured on the therapeuticbandage. Through the channel opening into the hollow space, thestiffness of the knobs is determined as a function of the controllablepressure prevailing in the hollow space.

A valve is expediently fitted in the channel. The valve prevents anindependent change of pressure within the associated knob. The valve isadvantageously spring-loaded or designed with a locking device. Thespring-loaded valve permits pressure-dependent filling of the associatedknob. By contrast, permanent opening of the valve is ensured by means ofthe locking device.

According to a further advantageous embodiment of the invention,electrodes are provided in the area of the knobs and can be fed withstimulating current via supply lines. This provides for a combination ofdifferent therapeutic measures by which rapid healing is often achieved.For example, a therapeutic agent can be massaged into the skin by meansof the knobs and at the same time treatment with stimulating current canbe effected.

By being expediently designed as a flat bandage, it is possible for thetherapeutic bandage to cover a relatively large body part to be treated,for example the chest or back. According to a further development of theinvention, a therapeutic bandage which is particularly comfortable forthe wearer and covers a large surface area is made available bydesigning it as a waistcoat, trousers or sleeve.

As the aim is to allow the therapeutic bandage to be fitted with minimumeffort, the closure element is advantageously designed as a buttonholestrip cooperating with at least one button, or as a Velcro® closure.

It will be appreciated that the aforementioned features and those stillto be discussed below can be used not only in the respectively indicatedcombination, but also in other combinations, without thereby departingfrom the scope of the present invention.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

FIG. 1 shows a view of a therapeutic bandage according to the inventionin a first embodiment,

FIG. 2 shows a view according to FIG. 1 in a first alternativeembodiment,

FIG. 3 shows a view according to FIG. 1 in a second alternativeembodiment,

FIG. 4 shows a view according to FIG. 1 in a third alternativeembodiment,

FIG. 5 shows a schematic view of the embodiment according to FIG. 4,

FIG. 6 shows a view of a cross section along the line VI—VI according toFIG. 2,

FIG. 7 shows a view of a cross section along the line VI—VI according toFIG. 2 in an alternative embodiment,

FIG. 8 shows an enlarged view of a detail VIII according to FIG. 6 in analternative embodiment,

FIG. 9 shows an enlarged view of a detail IX according to FIG. 7 in afirst alternative embodiment,

FIG. 10 shows an enlarged view of a detail IX according to FIG. 7 in asecond alternative embodiment,

FIG. 11 shows an enlarged view of a detail IX according to FIG. 7 in athird alternative embodiment, and

FIG. 12 shows an enlarged view of a detail XII according to FIG. 11.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS

FIG. 1 shows a therapeutic bandage 1 which is designed as a waistcoat 2,is adapted to the body shape of the wearer, and is held together viafour closure elements 3 in the front area. The closure elements 3 areeach designed as a buttonhole strip 4 cooperating with a button 5 fittedon the waistcoat 2, which is how the waistcoat 2 can be adapted todifferent body sizes. The waistcoat 2 is moreover provided with twoarmholes 7 and, when closed, has a neck opening 8 and a waist opening 9,said waist opening 9 being formed by a waistband 10 from which thereemerge an inlet/outlet 11 for a therapeutic agent and a supply line 13for supplying a stimulating current. The entire inner area of thewaistcoat 2 forms a therapeutic surface 73 on which massage projections29 designed as knobs 6 point in the direction of the body part 76 to betreated.

The therapeutic bandage 1 shown in FIG. 2 is a sleeve 14 which is fixedon the body part 76 to be treated by way of a closure element 3 designedas a Velcro® closure 15. The inlet/outlet 11, surrounded by a commonsheath, and the supply lines 13 are incorporated in the area of aVelcro® tape 16 of the Velcro® closure 15. On the inwardly directedtherapeutic surface 73 of the sleeve 14, rounded knobs 6 are once againarranged in staggered rows 17.

FIG. 3 shows a therapeutic bandage 1 which is designed as a flat bandage18 and has a triangular shape, with closure elements 3 arranged viaarticulations 75 at its corners, by means of which closure elements 3the flat bandage 18 is fixed on the body. By means of the articulations75, the closure elements 3 can be pivoted in a direction adapted to thebody. Rounded knobs 6 are arranged on the inwardly directed therapeuticsurface 73 pointing in the direction of the body part 76 to be treated.The inlet/outlet 11 for the therapeutic agent and the supply lines 13for the stimulating current are assigned to a reverse outer wall 32 ofthe therapeutic bandage 1.

The therapeutic bandage 1 according to FIG. 4, when closed, is in theform of trousers 19. The trousers 19 are fixed by means of the closureelements 3, said closure elements 3 being Velcro® closures 15 on thetrouser leg 20 and buttonhole strips 4 in the lower back area 21. Toform the Velcro® closures 15, external Velcro® tapes 16 are provided oneach trouser leg 20 and cooperate with a fleece tape 27 arranged on asupport band 28. Each trouser leg 20 is designed as a leg sleeve 24which joins directly to the lower back area 21 and carries the knobs 6on the therapeutic surface 73. The therapeutic surface 73 of the lowerback area 21 is likewise provided with rounded knobs 6, leaving avertebral column area 22 free. Incorporated between the lower back area21 and the trouser legs 20 there are cuttings 23 which make it possibleto adapt the trousers 19 to different body shapes. The lower back area21 has, like the trouser legs 20, in each case two inlets/outlets 11 andsupply lines 13 for supplying stimulating current. The inlet/outlet 11and the supply line 13 are joined to form a common connection 25 andcommunicate with a supply device (not shown) for the therapeutic agentand the stimulating current.

In the view of the trousers 19 according to FIG. 5, the therapeuticsurface 73 provided with knobs 6 and indicated by cross-hatching isdivided into several fields 26, each field 26 being provided with twospaced-apart electrodes 74 which communicate with supply lines 13 forthe transfer of the stimulating current. The electrodes 74 can in thiscase be provided in a wall 30 of the therapeutic surface either alone orin addition to the knobs 6.

According to the cross section through the therapeutic bandage 1illustrated in FIG. 6, the wall 30 of the therapeutic surface 73carrying the knobs 6 is fixed to the outer wall 32 of the therapeuticbandage 1 by means of Velcro® connections 31. On the side directedtoward the body part 76 to be treated, the knobs 6 have a stifflyconfigured summit 33. In a transition area 34 between the summit 33 ofthe knob 6 and the therapeutic surface 73, the knob 6 is elastic. Whenthe therapeutic bandage 1 is in the applied state, the elastictransition area 34 provides a certain mobility of the summit 33 of theknob 6 initiated by the body movement of the person wearing thetherapeutic bandage 1, giving a corresponding massage effect, andensures that the summit 33 is restored to position when the therapeuticbandage 1 is not in the applied state.

In the therapeutic bandage 1 according to FIG. 7, the outer wall 32 isassigned to the therapeutic surface 73 in order to form a hollow space35. Here, the wall 30 of the therapeutic surface 73 is sealed all roundonto the outer wall 32 of the therapeutic bandage 1, and the outer wall32 is provided with an inlet/outlet 11 for a therapeutic agent. Byarranging a further inlet/outlet (not shown) in the outer wall 32, it ispossible to convey the therapeutic agent in a circulation through thehollow space 35.

According to FIGS. 8 and 9, the massage projections 29 of thetherapeutic bandage 1 are designed as brushes 36 and are secured on thewall 30 of the therapeutic surface 73. At the center of each of thebrushes 36 there is an outflow opening 12 in the wall 30, through whicha therapeutic agent introduced via the inlet/outlet 11 into the hollowspace 35 is conveyed onto the skin of the body surface to be treated.The wetting of the skin is dependent on the diameter of the outflowopening 12 and on the pressure of the therapeutic agent in the hollowspace 35.

The view according to FIG. 10 shows knobs 6 which are component parts ofan elastic sheet 37 of knobs secured sealingly on the wall 30 of thetherapeutic surface 73. Depending on the elasticity of the sheet 37 ofknobs and on the pressure prevailing in the hollow space 35, knobs 6 ofgreater or lesser size and stiffness are formed, as is indicated by thebroken lines. The elastic transition area 34 is present between thesummit 33 of the knob 6, provided with a thickening 38, and thetherapeutic surface 73.

At the center of each knob 6, a channel 39 opening into the hollow space35 is incorporated in the wall 30 of the therapeutic surface 73, whichchannel 39 permits passage of the therapeutic agent out of the hollowspace 35 and into the knob 6. A valve 40 is fitted in the channel 39 forthe purpose of opening and closing it, said valve 40 comprising a valvetube 41 with a shoulder 42 at each end, said shoulders 42 receivingbetween them the wall 30, the hollow space 35 and the outer wall 32.Fitted in the valve tube 41 there is a valve plunger 43 which, in orderto provide a seal relative to the valve tube 41, has two spaced-apartO-ring seals 45 arranged in corresponding grooves 44. The O-rings seals45 slide along the tube wall 46 of the valve tube 41 and close/open apassage between the hollow space 35 and the valve tube 41 or between thehollow space 35 and the associated knob 6, which is produced via twobores 47 incorporated in the valve tube 41.

In the closed state of the valve 40 in which the passage between thehollow space 35 and the associated knob 6 is blocked, the valve plunger43 plunges completely into the channel 39 and a limit stop member 48 ofthe valve plunger 43 comes to bear on the associated shoulder 42 of thevalve tube 41. The O-rings seals 45 arranged on the valve plunger 43here enclose between them the bores 47 incorporated in the channel 39. Abutton 49 is formed integrally on the limit stop member 48 of the valveplunger 43, with interposition of a cut-in 50. Arranged on the outerwall 32 of the therapeutic bandage 1 there is an elastic mat 51 which isprovided with a number of holes 52 corresponding to the number of valves40, and a cut-in 50 of an associated valve 40 lies in each hole 52. Onaccount of the prestressing of the elastic mat 51, the valves 40 are atall times situated in the closed state, for which reason there is aconstant pressure inside the knob 6.

To change the pressure prevailing in the knob 6, the valve plunger 43 iswithdrawn from the valve tube 41 until the O-ring seal 45 directedtoward the knob 6 frees the bores 47 and the therapeutic agent can passfrom the hollow space 35 into the knob 6. The valve 40 is opened bymeans of gripping the button 49 counter to the restoring force exertedby the mat 51 on the limit stop member 48. After the button 49 isreleased, the valve 40 is automatically restored to the closed state.The valve 40 can also be assigned a locking device (not shown) whichholds the valve 40 in the opened position. Thus, a change of pressureinside the hollow space 35 acts directly on the associated knob 6.

The knobs 6 shown in FIG. 11 are of solid design and are mounted in thewall 30 of the therapeutic surface 73 by means of a holder 53. Theholder 53 includes a sphere segment 54 formed integrally on theunderside of the knob 6, a holder attachment 55 coaxially adjoining thesphere segment 54 and bearing a sealing cone 57, and a pressure cone 56which adjoins the sealing cone 57. The sealing cone 57 is integrallyformed on the holder attachment 55 via its smallest diameter 58, whichcorresponds to that of the holder attachment 55, and its diameterincreases in the direction away from the knob 6. At the greatestdiameter 59 of the sealing cone 57, the pressure cone 56 joins it withthe same diameter, which pressure cone 56 has the shape of a frustum ofa cone with a rounded tip 60. A knob seat 61 is set into the wall 30 ofthe therapeutic surface 73, in which knob seat 61 the sphere segment 54lies with play. Coaxially adjoining the knob seat 61 there is aconnecting bore 62 which receives the holder attachment 55 with play. Inthe direction away from the knob seat 61, the wall 30 has a sealing seat63 with an inclination which corresponds to the inclination of thesealing cone 57 of the knob holder 53. On that side of the wall 30directed away from the therapeutic surface 73 is the hollow space 35which is delimited by a spring mat 64 arranged parallel to the wall 30.The spring mat 64 profiled in cross section corresponds to the outerwall 32 of the therapeutic bandage 1 and acts on the knob holder 53. Inthe area of each pressure cone 56, the spring mat 64 has an indentation65, the wall 66 of the spring mat 64 in the area of the indentation 65being additionally narrowed by a depression 67 lying opposite theindentation 65, in order to permit an easy inward springing movement ofthe knob 6 upon loading. To fit the knob 6, the sealing cone 57 of theholder attachment 55 is forced through the elastically wideningconnecting bore 62. After the large diameter 59 of the sealing cone 57has passed through, the connecting bore 62 is restored to position,after which the knob 6 is held safely in the wall 30.

By means of the action of the spring mat 64, the pressure cone 56 isforced into the sealing cone 57, and the connecting bore 62 is closedrelative to the hollow space 35. If the knob 6 is now subjected toloading in the axial direction by a body part 76 to be treated, the knob6 is forced partially into the knob seat 61 counter to the action of thespring mat 64. In this way, the sealing cone 57 moves away from thepressure cone 56, and the connecting bore 62 is opened, for which reasona therapeutic agent can flow out of the hollow space 35 and wet the skinof the body part 76 to be treated. As the load on the knob 6 increases,the sphere segment 54 comes to bear on the surrounding edge 68 of theconnecting bore 62 and seals relative to the connecting bore 62. If, inthis position of the knob 6, therapeutic agent is to escape from thehollow space 35, the sphere segment 54 must be provided with axiallyextending furrows. If the knob 6 is subjected to a non-axially orientedload by the body part 76 to be treated, it tilts in the bearing betweenthe pressure cone 56 and the sealing cone 57 until the sphere segment 54comes to bear partially in the knob seat 61. In this process, theconnecting bore 62 is partially freed and the therapeutic agent can flowout of the hollow space 35. If there is no load acting on the knobs 6,the holder attachments 55 are restored to their position as a result ofthe spring action of the mat 51 and the connecting bores 62 are closed.

FIG. 12 shows a considerable enlargement of the summit 33 of the knob 6,from the center of which an acupuncture tip 69 issues. The acupuncturetip 69 comprises a ball 72 which is integrally formed on a shaft 70,said shaft 70 being connected to the summit 33 via a radius 71.

List of reference numbers 1 Therapeutic bandage 2 Waistcoat 3 Closureelement 4 Buttonhole strip 5 Button 6 Knob 7 Armhole 8 Neck opening 9Waist opening 10 Waistband 11 Inlet/outlet 12 Outflow opening 13 Supplyline 14 Sleeve 15 Velcro closure 16 Velcro tape 17 Row 18 Flat bandage19 Trousers 20 Trouser leg 21 Lower back area 22 Vertebral column area23 Cutting 24 Leg sleeve 25 Connection 26 Field 27 Fleece tape 28Support band 29 Massage projection 30 Wall 31 Velcro connection 32 Outerwall 33 Summit 34 Transition area 35 Hollow space 36 Brush 37 Sheet ofknobs 38 Thickening 39 Channel 40 Valve 41 Valve tube 42 Shoulder 43Valve plunger 44 Groove 45 O-ring seal 46 Tube wall 47 Bore 48 Limitstop 49 Button 50 Cut-in 51 Mat 52 Hole 53 Knob holder 54 Sphere segment55 Holder attachment 56 Pressure cone 57 Sealing cone 58 Diameter 59Diameter 60 Tip 61 Knob seat 62 Connecting bore 63 Sealing seat 64Spring mat 65 Indentation 66 Wall 67 Depression 68 Edge 69 Acupuncturetip 70 Shaft 71 Radius 72 Ball 73 Therapeutic surface 74 Electrode 75Articulation 76 Body part

What is claimed is:
 1. A therapeutic bandage, comprising: a bandagemedium including at least one therapeutic surface for contacting a bodypart to be treated, said bandage medium being removably secured to saidbody part by means of a closure element, wherein said therapeuticsurface includes massage projections which point in the direction of thebody part to be treated, wherein each projection is mounted through hebandage medium, wherein each projection is provided with a holder whichcomprises a sphere segment formed integrally on an underside of theprojection, a holder attachment directed coaxially from the spheresegment and bearing a sealing cone, and a pressure cone adjoining thesealing cone, where, in an unstressed state of the projection, and as aresult of an adjacent spring mat acting on the pressure cone, thesealing cone bears on a sealing seat of the therapeutic surface, andwherein the holder attachment is received with play in a connectingbore, and wherein the spherical element lies along the therapeuticsurface, spaced apart from a projection seat.
 2. The therapeutic bandageas claimed in claim 1, wherein the massage projections are designed asrounded knobs.
 3. The therapeutic bandage as claimed in claim 2, whereineach knob includes a summit portion and each knob is stiff in the areaof its summit.
 4. The therapeutic bandage as claimed in claim 2, furtherincluding an elastic transition area between the summit of the knob andthe therapeutic surface.
 5. The therapeutic bandage as claimed in claim3, further including an acupuncture tip arranged on the summit of theknob.
 6. The therapeutic bandage as claimed in claim 1, wherein themassage projections are designed as brushes.
 7. The therapeutic bandageas claimed in claim 1, further including an outer member coupled to saidbandage medium along an edge portion of the bandage medium, wherein ahollow space is created between said bandage medium and said outermember, said hollow space providing a residence for a therapeutic agentand wherein said hollow space is accessible by way of a tube.
 8. Thetherapeutic bandage as claimed in claim 1, wherein each projection isassigned an outflow passage connected to a hollow space within saidbandage medium, said outflow passage effective for conducting the flowof the therapeutic agent.
 9. The therapeutic bandage as claimed in claim1, wherein the projections are part of an elastic sheet of projectionssecured on the therapeutic surface, each projection being assigned achannel opening into a hollow space within said bandage medium.
 10. Thetherapeutic bandage as claimed in claim 9, further including a valvefitted in the channel of each projection.
 11. The therapeutic bandage asclaimed in claim 10, wherein the valve is spring-loaded or designed witha locking device.
 12. The therapeutic bandage as claimed in claim 1,further including electrodes provided in the area of the projectionswherein said electrodes can be fed with stimulating electrical currentvia supply lines.
 13. The therapeutic bandage as claimed in claim 1,wherein said bandage medium is generally flat.
 14. The therapeuticbandage as claimed in claim 1, wherein said bandage medium is designedas a waistcoat, trousers or sleeve.
 15. The therapeutic bandage asclaimed in claim 1, wherein said closure element is designed as abuttonhole strip cooperating with at least one button or as a Velcro®closure.